Cultural Diversity

Momogun Rungus.

   

                                                   

Malaysia is a country with citizens of various races that can live inside an environment that is peaceful and harmony without dispute among race. Malaysia has 3 key people that determined here as long as more 5 century which is malay, chinese and india. Apart from that, Malaysia also is country to as much as about 80 ethnic groups, especially in East Malaysia. Among of that include Baba and Nyonya, Kadazan, iban and Momogun Rungus.

Rungus also known as Dusun Laut or Dayak Dusun. By tradition quarter Momogun Rungus is clanship government system practitioner that in form by Kesatuan Bobolizan Rinovusan in past age before British colonisation period in Kudat peninsula and Teluk Marudu and Pitas.

Tribes man Rungus is a largest population in northern area of Sabah. Tribes man Rungus is aboriginal inhabitant Borneo archipelago since centuries old him. Quarter Rungus are also known as Momogun, Dayak Dusun, Dayak Laut, Momogun Rungus, Melobong Rungus, Momogun Laut or Dusun Laut. Their grandparents also known as Aki Rungsud. Grandfather Rungsud is a figure race Momogun Rungus had stripped Teluk Bandau as Pusat Perdagangan Sistem Barter in past age.

Nowaday, about  79% tribes man Momogun Rungus is follow Christian religion,  20% is believer Agama Labus (Lzabvus) namely ancestral religion Momogun Rungus and about 1% Momogun Rungus that is Muslim. Tribes man Momogun Rungus really strictly about ancestor customs, religious laws Labus and family ties.
                         

                                                                

The language of  Momogun Rungus known as Boros Momogun or  Rungus Language.  Momogun is derived word from word root "pogun" by connect reference mom until form said "momogun" which means "land owner". This word produced from religious doctrines ethnic tradition Momogun Rungus namely Labus Religion. "Labus Religion" is produced from 2 word from language Momogun Rungus namely "AGAMA" and "LABUS".

Tribes man Momogun Rungus not really is a quarter but it is one race that is larger. This follows based on equality from language aspect, art architecture, belief, view nature and the aspect ethnology Momogun Rungus in find out have equation with Kalimantan clump Dayak, Sarawak Dayak and Kadazan Dusun in Sabah. No wonders that Momogun Rungus often also known as Dayak Laut or Dayak Dusun.

The clear statement is Momogun is aboriginal inhabitant Borneo archipelago namely third largest archipelago in the world.

                                                                     

Despite rapid development of their traditional lands into acacia or oil palm plantations, the Rungus have managed to retain much of their culture, traditions and intangible heritage including their distinct language, myth and stories, songs, dances and handicrafts.

Rungus Handicrafts Today

The Rungus still produce many utilitarian crafts. Woodworking and metalwork are practised by men while women weave textiles and string beads, basketry is practiced by both. Common crafts are those with high commercial value especially beadwork and coil work basketry, which are still made in large quantities.

Certain crafts, notably hand loom textiles are increasingly rare today. Cotton is no longer cultivated as colourful, thick store-bought yarn is preferred. Weaving is still carried out on a narrow width back strap loom, mostly to weave colourful Inavol souvenir shoulder cloth.

Iron smithing is still carried out by men on a small scale to fulfil the need for agrarian tools. Brass is also still fashioned into traditional ornaments, though this craft is much rarer now due to limited supplies of brass.

Kg. Tinangol, Kudat

This village of three modern longhouses and approximately 800 peoples a three hour drive from Kota Kinabalu; public transport is available. Located within a fifteen minute walk from the tourist longhouse of Bavangazo, Kg. Tinangol specialises in the production of beaded crafts.

Craft production is generally treated as a supplementary source of income as many villagers still rely on rice farming for self consumption. However, visitors are welcome to visit their Bead Workshop located at the front of the village, or to the individual homes within the longhouses.

Contemporary Crafts

The following are some Rungus crafts marketed:

inavol handwoven bookmarks.

Traditional hand loom skills and motifs have been used but scaled down to produce these finely woven bookmarks. A small width back strap loom is still utilised but with contemporary coloured yarn.

saring inontilung brass and fern fibre bangles

Brass ornaments are still worn by older Rungus women though gold is now preferred. These contemporary brass bangles are still hand forged by women but embellished with additional inontilung fern fibre weaving.

rinago coilwork trays and baskets

Coil work lidded baskets are made by winding the smooth outer skin of the lingkungcreeper fern onto a continous coiled rattan base. Trays and ladies’ bags are a contemporary form.

tanjung ekslusif natural seed necklaces and chokers

Various seed, both wild harvested or cultivated,are strung into contemporary multi strand necklaces. Hand cut hollow fern stems or seashells are also used.

litai vinusak and tanjung tinutub woven bead necklaces

These modern necklaces feature traditional patterns and are made on a simple bead tension loom where glass or plastic seed beads are woven together on a series of polyester threads held taut by body tension.